Cal Bears’ Last-Second Stand Leads to Another Win Against Ranked Foe

For the second time in three weeks, the Cal Bears welcomed a top-25 team to Memorial Stadium. For the second time in three weeks, the Bears sent that top-25 team away with a loss.

After beating the 11th-ranked Texas Longhorns in a 50-43 nailbiter, Cal knocked off the 18th-ranked Utah Utes in another tight one, 28-23. For the first time since 2009, Cal has won consecutive games against ranked opponents. That year, they beat number 18 Arizona and number 14 Stanford in back-to-back weeks.

Looking at the scoresheet, Utah dominated this game. They ran a ridiculous 97 plays, compared to 49 for Cal. They held the ball for 42 minutes and one second, while Cal had it for 17 minutes and 59 seconds. Utah gained 30 first downs. Cal picked up 17. Utah piled up 442 yards, while Cal had 362.

Utah had a golden opportunity to leave Memorial Stadium with a win. After a defensive pass interference in the endzone, Utah had the ball at the Cal two-yard line with seven seconds left. They ran a bootleg to the right, but quarterback Troy Williams couldn’t connect with tight end Evan Moeai. That left Utah with three seconds with which to work.

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They had one chance to either win, or take the upset loss. On the final play, Williams handed the ball to running back Zack Moss. Moss was going right up the middle, but Cal’s line got a good push. Junior tackle James Looney forced his way into the backfield, and met Moss before the runner could get any positive momentum. Moss tried to shake free as Looney held on, but it was no use. The 280-pound lineman kept his grip, and Moss was dragged down as the clock expired.

The defense was given a lead to protect thanks to another huge performance by quarterback Davis Webb. The senior wasn’t able to get in to a great rhythm, as the Utah defense was very stout, but big plays were the calling card for Cal’s offense.

In the first quarter, Webb hooked up with his favorite target, junior Chad Hansen, for a 40-yard touchdown as the game’s first score. A little later, Webb and exciting freshman Demetris Robertson connected for a 39-yard score to make it 14-0 in Cal’s favor.

Utah rattled off 17 straight points to take a lead early in the second half, but Webb was not done. He and Hansen got together again, this time for 24 yards, for Webb’s third scoring strike of the game. In the fourth, Robertson was the recipient of a 56-yard touchdown pass, putting Cal ahead 28-17.

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Webb completed 22 of his 35 pass attempts, throwing for 306 yards and four touchdowns. He has surpassed 300 yards and thrown at least four touchdowns in all five games this season.

Hansen didn’t have his normal monster game. He didn’t record double-digit receptions for the first time this season, snagging five passes. He was also held under 100 yards for the first time, settling for 98. He still made a big impact, grabbing multiple touchdowns for the third time in five games.

Hansen’s freshman counterpart Robertson has become a big threat for the Cal offense. He matched his season-high with four receptions, and picked up 97 yards. Over the past two games, Robertson has 200 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Despite the big offensive performances, it was Looney that was the man of the hour after the big goal line stand. After the game, he echoed sentiments from earlier in the week, saying “at the end of the day, your defense is going to have to win it for you”. They certainly did that.

Next: Cal Basketball: Preseason Rankings and Recognition

Up next for the Bears, they take on the Oregon State Beavers. Oregon State sits at 1-3 following a 47-6 drubbing at the hands of the Colorado Buffaloes.